Sunday, September 30, 2007

Why men should not take messages.

I read this from an email forward, and thought it was funny enough to share. Enjoy...

RTA Public Meeting Monday

RTA Public Meeting Monday 10/1 The Regional Transportation Authority is holding a public meeting this coming Monday, October 1st at Union Station in the Union Gallery (off the southeast corner of the main waiting room) from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. The RTA will present the latest on the legislative front and spend the largest part of the meeting on questions, answers and open discussion. This is an excellent chance to voice your opinion about transit in Illinois. Please consider attending. Rick Harnish Executive Director Transit Riders Alliance, a project of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association PO Box 805877 Chicago, IL 60680 773-334-6758

Illinois State Projects Cut and Spared

SPRINGFIELD (AP) - Here are examples of the projects that were cut from or spared in the state budget Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed Thursday:
    PROJECTS CUT
  • $85,000 for the Village of Grand Ridge for planning and design for water tower and sewage system and arsenic removal system.
  • $65,000 for West Deerfield Township for a handicapped-accessible van.
  • $20,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois for youth mentoring programs.
  • $80,000 for the City of Marion for community development projects.
  • $30,000 for the Spanish Coalition for Jobs for job training.
  • $30,000 for Bronzeville Children's Museum for educational programs.
  • $50,000 for the Village of Hanover Park for a bike path.
  • $20,000 for South Suburban PADS homeless program for case management and job development.
  • $20,000 for Elk Grove Village Sister Cities for hosting a delegation from Sicily.
  • $2.2 million for the addition of 80 beds at the LaSalle Veterans Home.
    PROJECTS SPARED
  • $75,000 for the Village of Rossville for a water treatment and arsenic removal study.
  • $45,000 for the Snyder Village Senior Center for a handicapped-accessible van.
  • $50,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Illinois for a youth mentoring program.
  • $25,000 for Chicago Public Schools for Lane Tech High School.
  • $200,000 for the Illinois Coalition for Community Services for community development activities.
  • $40,000 for The New Alternative CDL Preparatory Training for job training.
  • $20,000 for the Park Ridge Fine Arts Society for the costs associated with Concerts in the Park series.
  • $20,000 for the Rainbow Push Coalition for educational programs.
  • $500,000 for the Village of Romeoville to create a bike trail.
  • $200,000 for the City of Belleville for building upgrades and remodeling.
  • $75,000 for Douglass Township to install a Haun Park guardrail and moving a light pole.
  • $10,000 to Wildwood Presbyterian Church PADS homeless program for equipment.
Source: Governor's veto message

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Chip Stealing Seagull

A seagull in Scotland has developed the habit of stealing chips from a neighborhood shop. The seagull waits until the shopkeeper isn't looking, (a camera was installed) and then walks into the store and grabs a snack-sized bag of cheese Doritoes. Once outside, the bag gets ripped open and becomes a feast for other birds. The seagull's shoplifting started early this month, when he first swooped into the store in Aberdeen, Scotland, and helped himself to a bag of chips. Since then, he's become a regular. He al ways takes the same type of chips. Customers have begun paying for the seagull's stolen bags of chips because they think it's so funny.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Monday, September 24, 2007

Flame Twirling Laydown

This weekend I attended another party where flame was involved. Ha ha, that should have been my heading teaser. Last weekend a friend celebrated her birthday by having friends come over and sit by a fire pit in the backyard. It was quite pleasant, especially considering the temperature was strangely low 60s perhaps mid 50s considering how cold I felt. Nevertheless, perfect setting for a cold early September night. Last night however was a fire twist, literally. Another birthday party, from a friend of a friend of a friend (No not a typo) Don't ask. Quite entertaining see below.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Former President of Mexico Vicente Fox and Me

Former President of Mexico Vicente Fox and Me
It's not that often that I get to pose for a picture with a high ranking politician. Here I am with former President of Mexico (2000-2006). I have met a few politicians mainly from my volunteer events. For the most part the politician's I've met have been through my bipartisan participation in promoting political awareness to the youth.

This time around I got lucky to have had a colleague of mine think of me to get me on the list for this event. More info for this event posted in my Chicago Photos Blog. As you can tell from the picture I am way too short, granted this is a tall guy himself, but Oh-man am I short!

Saturday, September 15, 2007

I Feel The Music In My Veins

There are days when I just feel solemnly blue. Them I listen to a song that hits my heart stronger and I feel it palpitate harder. I want to sing at the top of my longs, if only I could adequately hit those notes. I feel the anxiousness as my feelings sink deeper as my eyelids become heavy and tighten with the expectation of tears forming. I admire song composition, not only the lyrics for they seem a bit easier to create. I am jealous of dreaming and creating melodies, true musical compositions. Symphonies are greater pieces of art molded by geniuses.

There are a few exceptions to such masterpieces in regular radio play songs. When those cross my path I feel them and take hold of them, play them over and over. I have been a victim of falling prey to catchy hooks, but I am able to discern the difference. I miss playing piano, even if my experience factored primarily playing tunes by ear. I did create my own tunes when I was younger, Very simple keys and chords and romantic lyrics out of a dream. Oh to be young again and succumb to the whim and naivety of thinking I actually had a place experimenting with the sweetness of music.

Sunday, September 09, 2007

Marvel Super Hero Test - I am Jean Grey

I'm not sure I agree with the analyses but whatever! According to this short quiz I the closest super hero to match my personality was Jean Grey, I didn't even give any nerdy answers! If you were a MARVEL super Hero… who would you be? Find out now! male & Female versions of the test!

Saturday, September 08, 2007

If Only My Dog Liked Swimming

I've taken Charlie to the the doggie beach on Belmont and Montrose and he will not swim in either. He likes running around only for a few minutes. He'll splash in the water a bit just to get his feet wet, but that is pretty much the extent of it. If he were like other dogs, especially labs, I would seriously consider taking him to this water park. Pretty funny take a look...

Dogs take over the pool at the 4th annual Pooch Plunge held in Fort Collins, Colorado. City Park pool is open for the summer season and then closes for the rest of the season. Before the pool is drained, many four-legged friends get to enjoy the pool. On August 19th - 20th, from 4pm to 5:30pm Dog owners brought their pooches to the pool.

Friday, September 07, 2007

Dentist Manners

I had a follow up appointment with my dentist today. Now let me ask you this - Why do they always choose to ask you a question when your mouth is being detained by some dentistry apparatus or even the dentist hand itself? I think they do it on purpose! I had at first thought it was just my dentist that had that habit. But I think it's all of them - does yours wait to ask you random questions until you are in an awkward position to answer without sounding ridiculous?

Last week I had a root canal, and it was administered by an orthodontist, not my regular dentist. Sure enough not until I had this silly green tooth "dam" in my month did he feel the need to strike up conversation. Today I saw my dentist, but had to have a mold made of my teeth by the dentist assistant. The assistant dd the same thing! There were several minutes when I had nothing in my mouth, it wasn't until I had this plaster/gel like mold in my mouth when she asked, hey are you a teacher? I must be mistaking you, what do you do now? What sign are you - OK maybe not the last question, but you get my point.

I didn't get fitted for my tooth crown today and will have to go in for that in a few weeks. I think I will ask one of them what the deal is.

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Barack Obama On LinkedIn

I have to give kudos to Barack Obama's campaign staff. They have done a good job at tapping into all the major social networking sites. Barack is on Myspace, Facebook, YouTube as well as Digg.com. I know the other presidential candidates also have profiles on some of these sites, but I don't think they have done as an effective job promoting their profiles as Obama. Barack is clearly the leader in supporter count on Facebook. Today I received an invite to add Obama to my LinkedIn network.

LinkedIn.com is an online social network of, 'more than 13 million experienced professionals from around the world, representing 150 industries.' I've been a member for a while now and had not come across any other politician campaign. I have not decided who to vote for yet, even though I am a Barack Obama fan as you might know from previous posts. I will finally admit - I am a swing voter. I like to know my candidates from both parties and make a decision based on the views of many issues from each candidate and factor many other items before making a decision. That being said I added Obama to my LinkedIn Profile and placed the badge promoting his campaign. Hey if I receive another invite from other politicians I may consider adding them as well. Again - kudos on marketing this campaign.

For those interested...
Join Barack's Official profile at www.linkedin.com/in/barackobama. If you are already a LinkedIn member, simply click on the "Obama'08" supporter badge to add a Barack Obama supporter badge to your LinkedIn profile -->

Monday, September 03, 2007

Happy Labor Day

Hope all you monkeys are enjoying your day off and are purposely trying not to be productive. I have a few items I need to take care of that I had procrastinating on, but other than that I am still recovering and enjoying my relaxing extended weekend. This day marks the end of summer for many, so I hope you take the time away and venture outdoors to enjoy the warm weather.

I had to cancel a few plans with friends I had this weekend. I am sad that I missed out on some of that fun but am glad to feel somewhat rejuvenated. Hopefully I can still capture some good sunlight and finally go out and take some pictures. It has been a very long time since I've had a photography outing and my cameras are feeling lonely.

Sunday, September 02, 2007

U.S. Workers Are Most Productive - Is That A Good Thing?

The Associated Press reports that U.S. Workers are the most productive in world; Each Produces $63,885 of Wealth Per Year...
American workers stay longer in the office, at the factory or on the farm than their counterparts in Europe and most other rich nations, and they produce more per person over the year. They also get more done per hour than everyone but the Norwegians, according to a U.N. report released Monday, which said the United States 'leads the world in labor productivity.' The average U.S. worker produces $63,885 of wealth per year, more than their counterparts in all other countries, the International Labor Organization said in its report.
We may be more productive, but how does that compare to our health? What is the projected life span of employees in other nations and how does the work/life balance compare to that of Americans? How does that also translate to happiness? I know it's a bit hypocrital of me, since I rather not sleep and do something more productive. I do however realize a need to balance life away from just labor.

Charlie Barks To Come Inside

Charlie Barks To Come Inside
I'm trying to teach my dog to bark at the door when he is ready to come in. Charlie is already trained to bark on command. He knows "speak" and also my sign-language for when I want him to bark. The transition now is going slow however. Everytime he comes to the door he just whines. He will only bark until I motion for him to do so.

Perhaps he needs a bit more practice. Perhaps I shouldn't call for him to come indoors and just wait for him to ask to come in. He loves being outside and is spending more and more time outdoors.